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These days more consumers are waking up to the terrible damage fast fashion does to the environment and its workers.
Today, I’ll show you the sustainable fashion brands that are shunning fast fashion and producing eco-friendly clothing, and other fashion items, with organic and recycled materials, and fair trade ethics.
Despite what some companies would like you to believe, you CAN look great and still not harm the planet. You just need to know where to look.
I've enlisted the help of my very fashionable wife on this one.
So I’ll be talking you through the eco-credentials of some of the best sustainable fashion brands. Mrs. M will take a more consumer-centric look at some of the amazing products on offer.
I know you're going to love what you see, so let's get started...
✔ Military & First Responder Benefits
✔ Organic Cotton Canvas
✔ Easy Returns & Exchanges
They Say: The chase for Roark began out of a desire to tell authentic stories born of adventure and discovery, while striving to create the essential travel-tailored gear to pack for your travels.
We Say: I've only recently discovered Roark and am already a true convert. It's a genuinely eco-friendly clothing brand that seems to have done most things right.
I don't really have favorite fashion brands. But if I did, Roark would be on the list. Its "from the trail to the bar" sales line pretty much sums up my perfect day!
With their military and first responder discounts, you can feel good about your Roark purchases. Not only will you be getting quality gear that looks good and lasts, but you'll also be supporting those who keep us safe.
The collection is always on-trend (without being fast fashion) and designed with practicality.
I love their use of organic cotton (and cotton canvas), which is both environmentally conscious, highly durable, and comfortable.
My favorite Roak items are the Hebrides Lightweight Jacket and Guideworks Premium Tee.
I wear them both to death, and the quality is outstanding. In fact, the organic cotton of both items is getting softer after every wash.
I also love the easy return and exchange policy so you can buy confidently.
I highly recommend Roark if you're looking for travel-ready fashion that looks good and won't let you down. There's something for everyone, no matter the destination.
Plus, their commitment to sustainability is a bonus! Give them a try and see what adventure awaits!
Check out my Roark Clothing Review to find out even more about the brand.
Mrs. M Says: I'll leave this one to James, as he's the Roark expert. He wears his jacket and tee almost every day. I often have to force him to take them off so I can wash them. Stinky boy!
However, I've taken a look a the website and love the look of what they offer women. The shorts look particularly cute!
✔ Responsible Yak Wool
✔ Low Carbon, No Harmful Chemicals
✔ Supports Community Development
We Say: Shokay offers a range of beautifully designed knitwear and accessories made from sustainably sourced Yaks Wool.
The natural fibers are sourced direct from the Tibetan Himalayas, where the brand supports local farmers and communities.
Mrs M Says: I was delighted to be able to test the Above Land Cropped Sweater and Serene Scarf from Shokay. I was amazed by the softness of the yak wool. It's much softer than I expected, making it perfect for sensitive skin.
The material has a unique softness and warmth that you don’t get with other fibers. It’s robust and well-made, meaning it should last for many winters to come.
The sweater has a beautiful silhouette. It’s tailored perfectly and flatters my figure - as well as being incredibly comfortable. The material is soft and luxurious. It feels wonderful against my skin and keeps me warm without being too heavy.
The scarf is made from the softest material, making it incredibly comfortable to wear. It's perfect for those chilly days. It has a lovely colour as well, which I've been happy to show off!
They Say: Svala was founded by Helga Douglas to create beautiful, stylish, versatile pieces that are animal-friendly and produced sustainably. Helga created a line of luxury, vegan, handbags and accessories that are handcrafted in LA from premium, European, innovative fabrics.
We Say: Svala specializes in making high-end sustainable handbags and accessories that are 100% vegan.
Each item is made from animal-friendly, PVC-free, sustainable materials such as Italian PU (polyurethane), Pinatex® (made from pineapple leaf fiber), and cork.
Every Svala handbag is lined with fabric made with organic cotton and recycled polyester.
Mrs. M Says: As a family, we’re trying to move to a vegan way of living...but it’s hard because James makes a kick-ass pork and apple burger, and my girls love making chili nachos.
At least my bag collection can be vegan, thanks to Svala!
I have a slight obsession with bags (James would no doubt say that’s a massive understatement) and could easily (maybe have!) spend a small fortune at Svala.
My currency fave is the Didi Clutch Mini - Gold Speckled Cork. It’s cute, glitzy, and made from natural, biodegradable, vegan cork fabric. WIN, WIN, WIN!
Free shipping and returns are available on all domestic U.S. orders.
✔ Moisture Wicking & Temperature Regulating
✔ UPF 50+ Protection
✔ Sustainably Made
Why Lark Is the Best Value Loungewear: The low price point of Lark products is incredible. Yes, they achieve this by mixing bamboo with cotton. But the result is a very soft product that's certified by OEKO-TEX.
Personal Experience: The quality of the hoodie and joggers from Lark seriously impressed me during testing. They outperformed many brands that cost significantly more.
Lark markets these items as being for women. However, I consider them to be unisex. The fit was great, and I enjoyed lounging around the house in them after a long day in the office.
The exclusive Softek fabric is soft and breathable. I never found it itchy, which is a big deal for someone like me with sensitive skin. I also appreciated the thoughtful details, like the flatlock seams and soft fabric label.
About the Brand: Lark creates clothing prioritizing comfort, safety, and sustainability.
The company could not find a fabric to meet its needs, so it created Softek (an OEKO-TEX 100 certified bamboo-cotton blend that's moisture-wicking and naturally temperature-regulating).
They Say: We believe in supporting the excellent local artisans and craftspeople and women-and minority-owned businesses in New York City. By producing locally in small batches, we are able to minimize the impact of our supply chain and ensure that our extremely high quality standards are met on each and every garment.
We Say: GRAMMAR uses GOTS certified sustainable fabric and other eco-friendly materials to make wardrobe staples in NYC.
Mrs. M Says: GRAMMAR started selling just plain white shirts but has now expanded their range to cover a whole host of tastes. I love their take on modern minimalist, sustainable textiles.
Free domestic shipping and returns are available on all orders.
They Say: Conscious step is committed to lasting social and environmental change. Every step we take in our production process supports farms and factories with fair wages, safe facilities, and sustainable materials.
We Say: Conscious Step is an ethical and sustainable clothing brand specializing in socks.
Their different ranges of socks currently support the following projects and initiatives:
Mrs. M Says: This is more James’ area of expertise. He loves a jazzy sock, and Conscious Step has plenty of those on offer.
However, as a family of dog lovers, I’ve chosen the more understated Socks That Save Dogs.
Free shipping is available on all U.S. orders over $50.
✔ Made in The USA
✔ Supports American Organic Cotton Farmers
✔ Zero Dyes and Bleach Options Available
They Say: Harvest & Mill was born out of a need for locally sewn and USA grown organic clothing. We believe that there is a better way to make clothing. By supporting our USA organic cotton farmers, American heritage mills and our local sewing community, we are rebuilding supply chains based on ecological and ethical principles.
We Say: This is a truly homegrown company from start to finish.
They sew all their clothes in Oakland, Berkeley, and San Francisco.
The 100% USA organic cotton fabric Harvest & Mill use is made exclusively for them. They can trace their materials all the way back to the organic cotton farms.
Every range is available in undyed and unbleached fabric. Their naturally-dyed clothes come from farmers and dye artists in Indiana and California. This massively reduces water waste and pollution.
Every material used by Harvest & Mill is either compostable or recyclable.
Mrs. M Says: Harvest & Mill keep everything right here in the good old US of A, and I love that!
I sometimes get small outbreaks of eczema on my arms, which I've found can be aggravated by certain dyes used in clothes. So I love the fact that Harvest & Mill has a full dye and bleach-free range.
I also find it neat that each product page tells you the exact environmental impact of that item.
Their Organic Cotton Socks get my vote here. A real slouching around the house fave of mine. Sooooooooo comfy!
Free domestic shipping is available for all orders over $150.
They Say: Our packaging and pants (underwear) are made exclusively from plant-based materials and are fully biodegradable and compostable. KENT briefs will disappear and return to nature as a resource (in only 90 days) helping reduce landfill waste. Smiling? So is Mother Earth.
We Say: The concept here is simple but incredibly effective.
Underwear made from 100% organic pima cotton, with no synthetics, microplastics, and petrochemicals.
The resulting product is entirely vegan and will compost back to nature in 90 days once it reaches the end of its usable life.
Mrs. M Says: Panties that will feed my pansies. What a great idea!
My favorite style? I could lie and say the sexy thongs...but it’s High Waist comfort every time for me!
Free shipping is currently available on all domestic orders over $75.
They Say: We are TBCo (pronounced Tea-Bee-Co), a purpose-driven brand on a mission to shape the future of responsible retail.
We Say: TBCo's B Corp certification, Edinburgh design heritage, and business ethics are very impressive. They donate 2% of profits to environmental and humanitarian causes and have saved over 1 million garments from landfills through their recycled wool programs.
TBCo states that supply chain transparency is important and that it often visits partner mills. I love this. It shows that TBCo has built sustainability into its business model rather than treating it as an afterthought.
Mrs. M Says: I tested TBCo's Burgundy Modern Tartan scarf during Florida's unpredictable winter months when temperatures swing between chilly mornings and warm afternoons.
My TBCo scarf wraps comfortably around my neck during early morning hikes and drapes well over my shoulders on cooler evenings without feeling bulky or heavy.
The lambswool fiber feels soft against my skin and has not triggered the itchiness I sometimes experience with lower-quality wool products.
✔ GOTS Certified Organic Cotton
✔ Made in The USA
✔ Pre-Washed & Pre-Shrunk
They Say: We founded the Classic T-shirt Company to make a difference, to be a force for good, and to show by example how you can take something as simple as a T-shirt and make it better in every way.
We Say: The Classic T-Shirt Company manufactures its products in a family-run Los Angeles factory that pays workers living wages above California's minimum wage.
The Classic T-Shirt Company sources organic cotton from India and pledges 1% of equity, profit, and time to environmental charities, such as Water for People and The Ocean Cleanup.
All Classic T-Shirt Company products are shipped in 100% recycled, plastic-free packaging.
Mrs. M Says: I love using basics from The Classic T-Shirt Company for layering. The Sleeveless Tank Top is one of my go-to pieces during summer humidity, when I need something breathable under lightweight cardigans.
I also tuck my Classic T-Shirt Company tank into high-waisted denim for weekend errands and layer it under open shirts for casual dinners. The straps stayed put on my shoulders without sliding around, and the scoop neckline sits low enough to be flattering without feeling revealing.
After dozens of washes, the tank has maintained its original shape, and the white has stayed bright without yellowing.
They Say: By seeking out the most environmentally responsible processes, low-impact fabrics and ethical manufacturing, we swap the greenwashing for integrity and accountability.
We Say: Subset makes its products in Fair Trade certified factories in India. I was impressed to read that Subset's primary manufacturing partner uses rooftop solar for about 40% of energy needs.
Subset holds GOTS certification across its entire supply chain. GOTS sets strict rules on chemical inputs and processing, including prohibiting PFAS compounds and restricting certain azo dyes and formaldehyde to defined limits. This certification matters for underwear that sits against your skin all day.
Mrs. M Says: There is a time and place for thongs, but the High-Rise Briefs from Subset are so lovely to wear. No seam. No digging. No wedgies. HEAVEN!
They Say: At HYER GOODS, we pride ourselves in using the most sustainable materials - the ones that already exist! That's why all our leather goods are hand-crafted from Better Leather, the quality materials leftover from the production and manufacturing process.
We Say: HYER GOODS is a leather goods brand that makes its products for deadstock material that would have otherwise ended up in landfill.
They promise to:
Mrs. M Says: HYER GOODS call their upcycled leather bags “trash bags”...but there is absolutely nothing thrashing about this brand.
Their longest-standing product, the Bucket Bag, is both useful (it holds A LOT!) and stylish...especially in the gorgeous Flame Croc color.
Free shipping and returns are currently available on all U.S. orders.
We researched and tested every clothing brand featured in this guide to understand how they perform in real life. My wife and I personally tried pieces from each brand featured. We tested them with help from friends and family of different sizes and lifestyles to get a balanced view of fit, comfort, and durability.
Here’s what we looked for when deciding which brands to recommend.
No company paid to be featured, and no brand is ever permitted to buy placement in our rankings. We rejected more than 20 brands that did not meet our standards. All items were purchased online using the links provided above. We were not gifted any products for review.
All of the brands listed in the article are better for the environment than fash fashion. When looking for a sustainable fashion brand, you should look out for as many of the following as possible:
Thanks to social media, most companies these days are straightforward to interact with. If you’re not sure about a company’s eco-credentials, get onto Facebook, Twitter, etc., and interrogate them. If you’re still not sure, then let me know, and I’ll investigate further for you.
I recommend you check out our guide to the best organic clothing brands to find brands that sell 100% organic basics.
According to the FashionUnited Index of Most Recognized Fashion Brands, the top ten brands in the U.S. are:
This list is purely based on brand value and does not consider whether they’re ethical brands or not. Many of the biggest clothing brands are not actually sustainable clothing brands.
This is simply a term used to describe clothing that has been produced in an ethical factory and in a way that is fair to everyone in the process (farmers, factories workers, suppliers, etc.).
To stop the relentless growth of the fast fashion industry, we need to be more mindful about what we buy and when.
All these brands listed in this article are playing their part. By purchasing more sustainable, longer-lasting clothes, we can play our part too.
Think more timeless styles and less cheap shirts that will fall apart after three washes.
Sustainable clothing might be more expensive to buy initially, but it will last much longer and do less damage to the planet. That surely has to be worth an extra few bucks.
It's refreshing to know that you can get a stylish wardrobe full of sustainable fashion that won't harm the environment. When you've done that, don't forget to check out the best eco-friendly shoes to complete your outfit.
Finally, a big thank you to Mrs. M for her invaluable input on this article.
Which sustainable fashion brands do you use? Have I missed any off the list? Drop me a line and let me know. I hope to add more sustainable brands to the list in the future.
Our core values mean we always prioritize sustainability over profit. We carefully evaluate and personally test every product to ensure they meet our high standards. All products recommended in this article were tested in accordance with our Review Methodology.
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